Nathan Turner

Los Angeles–based designer Nathan Turner is renowned for his signature brand of relaxed but classic West Coast chic. For the holidays, he recommends hosts start with a game plan, just like the pros. “Event designers are super-organized and their entire event is broken down into a well-run timeline,” he explains. “No matter what is going on behind the scenes, a good designer never shows signs of stress or worry.”

Photo courtesy of Abrams/Luca Trovato

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In his new book, Nathan Turner’s American Style (Abrams, $40), the designer suggests mixing different plaids within a single color palette for a festive look. Turner is quick to point out, though, that, “holiday decorating can go from pretty to tacky in no time flat. One way to prevent that is by using fresh flowers, garlands, and greenery.”

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When it comes to decorating around the interior design of your home, Turner believes your holiday decor should reflect the way you actually live. “If you have a really tone-on-tone, neutral, modern interior paired with an over-the-top green-and-red Christmas extravaganza, it’s going to look garish.”

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Turner also recommends creating a take-home gift for your holiday company. “It can be really simple—individually wrap your favorite specialty jam, truffles, or chocolates and send them home with your guests.”

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As for the tree, Turner advises coordinating your ornaments. “Decorating a Christmas tree is like decorating a room—there should be different finishes, textures, and shades of color.”

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David Stark

Best known for his artistic installations, Brooklyn-based event designer David Stark has a list of fans that includes actress Glenn Close and musician David Byrne. When it comes to decorating for the holidays, Stark stresses the importance of self-editing: “Just because you received 400 ornaments as gifts over the years doesn’t mean you need to use all 400,” he explains. “I sometimes edit the color stories—maybe just all gold this year? Or sometimes the materiality—it’s going to be a year of naturals.”

Photo courtesy of David Stark/Susan Montagna

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Stark advocates juxtaposing styles, as seen by the boldly modernist Christmas trees shown here, set in a striking traditional interior that features marble columns and ornate architectural detail. “We often use very modern materials in classically elegant settings, and that works beautifully when you are sensitive to your surroundings. It’s not essential to be so matchy-matchy.”

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Another hallmark of Stark’s style is his use of ordinary objects in extraordinary ways. He suggests heading to the farmer’s market, a favorite decorating resource: “I use cranberries in profusion at holiday time. Several bags of them make a stunning, bejeweled carpet to host place cards in a shallow tray.”

Photo courtesy of David Stark/Susan Montagna

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One of Stark’s all-time favorite holiday trees is the one he devised out of mirror for the U.S. State Department, shown here. “Frankly, I don’t equate a holiday tree to Christmas anymore. For me it is a seasonal symbol and not about religion. We often create tree-shaped elements instead of decorating actual trees, which further defines it as a seasonal abstraction.”

Photo courtesy of David Stark/Susan Montagna

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Colin Cowie

Celebrated for his ultraglamorous international events for boldface names such as Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, and Oprah Winfrey, Colin Cowie is also enthralled with alternative types of trees. “The artificial trees of today look so real, and you can reuse them next year,” he says. “If you miss the scent, you can get fragrant candles that smell like pine.”

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The author of books titled Chicand Effortless Elegance, it comes as no surprise that Cowie’s take on the holidays is all about refinement. “Keep a thread of style by identifying your look and color. Create one master theme that starts with the wreath on the front door and keeps going on your dining table.”

Photo courtesy of Colin Cowie Celebrations/Garrett Holden

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Lighting is crucial to any event, no matter the season. “Make a tablescape by mixing candles that are tapers with column and votives,” suggests Cowie. “For added glamour, place them on a mirrored runner. It creates instant ambience that makes all your guests look good.”

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Yifat Oren

When Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenni Kayne want to create an atmosphere of wabi-sabi glamour, it’s Los Angeles–based event planner Yifat Oren who delivers. Her approach to holiday decorating echoes her breezy, high-style take on entertaining. “I love the idea of beautiful glass used in a modern way—a grand candelabra looks elegant and festive with all white flowers, preferably all one type,” she says.

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A master at blending tradition and religion for weddings, Oren elegantly manages the same for the holidays. “You can be festive without paying homage to any particular religion. Think winter—that can mean whites and creams with gold or silver accents. I love the idea of natural elements, like birch trees, antlers in natural or silver, moss, and greenery like maidenhair fern.”

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When asked about her holiday decor essentials, Oren answers, “Laughter—it makes everything more beautiful.” Aside from that? “Just make sure your lighting is moody, and great wine is flowing.”

Photo courtesy of Yifat Oren & Associates

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Bronson van Wyck

New York–based event designer Bronson van Wyck—who is so enthralled with the holidays that he has a signature pop-up shop in the West Village this season—prefers decorations that dress up the home rather than clash with its existing decor. “Incorporate organic details like wreaths, garlands, and festive centerpiece arrangements,” he says.

Photo: Joshua McHugh

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When it comes to choosing a tree, Van Wyck opts for Douglas fir, which has sturdy branches with good spacing for hanging ornaments. As for trimming it, he says, “Pick a theme and go for it!” (One year he covered his entire tree in antlers, and another year it was all white birds.) And to quickly transform a room into being holiday ready, Van Wyck suggests adding tartan, velvet, fur, or suede throws and accent pillows.

Photo: Joshua McHugh

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For seated dinners, Van Wyck likes to include something at each place setting, such as personalized ornaments, a small wreath with a gift tag, gingerbread men in tartan kilts, or small bowls filled with roasted pecans.

Photo courtesy of Van Wyck & Van Wyck

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Preston Bailey

Although his clients are as diverse as Donna Karan, Liza Minnelli, and Donny Deutsch, New York–based event designer Preston Bailey’s signature style is all about theatrics. For the holidays, he picks a different anchor color each year. “This year,” Bailey reveals, “I am working with turquoise, and I keep that color in mind as I shop for papers, ribbons, or any other elements I need for decorations.”

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Bailey, whose latest book is simply titled Flowers, believes in the power of a showstopping feature. “This could be a gigantic floral sculpture of your favorite pet decorated with festive Christmas ribbons, or collections of beautifully wrapped paperwhite bulbs for your guests to take home.”

Photo courtesy of Preston Bailey Designs

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“When decorating a tree,” Bailey says, “I like the approach of making my own ornaments and using the same decor over and over to create the feeling of a holiday installation.”